The Skylark. 



235 



rises early, he will begin his song as soon as the day fairly 

 breaks, and will continue until the full light of day. He 

 generally goes first to see that his little wife is safe and 

 all right, and then commences his ascent immediately above 

 her, and pours forth a torrent of passionate love. When 

 the mornings are bright, and the atmosphere pellucid, he 

 will ascend out of sight, carolling the whole time his 

 flight lasts — which is generally from ten to twelve minutes 

 — if he be an accomplished songster. He will then descend 

 within 20yds. or 30yds. of the nest, and go and exchange 

 greetings with his loved one. If the weather be dull, and the 

 atmosphere thick and muggy, he returns suddenly, drops as 

 if he had been shot, and ceases to sing. 



The male does not supply the hen with food during nidifi- 

 cation, but takes his turn with her in sitting upon the eggs, 

 and, when he thinks she has been absent long enough, com- 

 mences to sing on the nest — an evident sign for her to return 

 forthwith. If she prove dilatory in this respect, he will often 

 set about her," and chastise her for the dereliction of duty. 

 Skylarks are very affectionate birds, and exhibit much love 

 for their offspring ; some hens will not leave their eggs, or 

 callow brood, even when mowers are working in close proximity 

 to the nest. The male is most assiduous in supplying the 

 wants of his offspring, but sings very little during the time he 

 is so engaged. When he brings the nestlings a supply of 

 food, he never alights close to the nest, but at a distance of 

 from 20yds. to 30yds. away, and approaches them by a 

 series of circles, with much caution, so as not to betray their 

 whereabouts. 



Skylarks feed their young in a peculiar manner ; having 

 made choice of the bird they intend to feed, they run 

 right at it. The other portion of the brood seem to under- 

 stand this proceeding, for they remain quiescent spectators 

 during the operation, and display no symptoms of impatience 

 on their own account. The male takes full charge of the 

 young when the hen commences to brood again. In turbulent 

 weather, the nests of these birds are frequently destroyed, and 

 the eggs or tender chicks perish. The young birds are naturally 

 very wild, and easily scared ; and if any person approaches 

 a nest containing such, the parents have a means of signalling 

 to them, which they fully understand, and at once cower 



